More than a century of dermatology innovation + education at Tufts Medical Center
The Department of Dermatology at Tufts Medical Center has a rich academic and clinical history, rooted in more than a century of innovation, leadership and excellence in dermatologic care.
Founded in 1893, both the medical school and the dermatology department were originally located at Boston City Hospital and served as a primary teaching site for Tufts Medical Center (formerly New England Medical Center). Since then, the program has grown through the vision of nationally recognized leaders and a continued focus on advancing research, training and care.
Key milestones include:
- 1944–1977: Drs. John Downing, Bernard Appel and Walter Lever helped shape modern dermatology at Tufts. Dr. Lever, a pioneer in blistering skin diseases, expanded the department’s research and education missions with strong NIH support.
- 1980s–1990s: Dr. David Feingold built a robust academic program and oversaw the growth of clinical services, including the launch of a strong dermatologic surgery division under Dr. Donald Grande.
- 2006–2016: Under the leadership of Dr. Alice Gottlieb, an expert in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the department contributed to breakthrough immunobiologic research that led to FDA-approved treatments still in use today.
- 2018–present: Dr. F. Clarissa Yang joined as Chair and Dermatologist-in-Chief, bringing a deep background in clinical leadership from Harvard. Known for her expertise in procedural dermatology and clinical care redesign, Dr. Yang continues to elevate the department's academic, clinical and educational missions.
Tufts Medical Center’s dermatology department remains one of the busiest in the region, with more than 13,000 outpatient visits annually and a reputation for excellent training, research and care.
